West Ham target man Andy Carroll has been linked with a move to Chelsea.
Former West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker has told Sky Sports’ Premier League Daily Show on Wednesday morning that the Hammers will be better off ignoring Chelsea’s interest in striker Andy Carroll.
The Guardian claim that Chelsea have opened talks to sign the 29-year-old this month on a permanent deal, with the Hammers rejecting any chance of a six-month loan deal for the England international.
It is believed that the east Londoners want £20million for the Geordie target man, in what is considered a surprising move with Carroll hardly showing the kind of form associated with a club as big as Chelsea.
Reo-Coker, who played for West Ham for three years between 2004 and 2007 and is currently a free agent, claimed that David Moyes’ side need to keep Carroll because he is crucial to their system – but stated “everyone has a price”.
“Andy Carroll is a very vital player for West Ham,” Reo-Coker said. “Even though they’ve started to pick up some results, it’s still a long way to go in the season and he’s vital to that; he’s a player they need to keep right now.
“The team, the system, on his day he can be a handful for some of the top defenders in this league. Selling him in this January transfer window would not be the right thing to do.
“You can get more money in the January transfer window, but you must consider what position it will leave your team in. Everyone has a price, it will be interesting to see what they do.”
The former Liverpool striker has scored just two goals in 14 outings this season, both coming in a superb late win over West Brom after the Baggies had taken the lead at the London Stadium earlier this month.
Chelsea’s interest soon came after his brace, with Alvaro Morata yet to show the kind of goalscoring form his huge summer transfer fee would suggest.
Since joining the Hammers in 2013, Carroll has scored 32 goals and laid on 18 assists in 132 league and cup appearances in claret and blue, and has 18 months remaining on his London Stadium contract.
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